Slicer feed



Aug. 14, 1934. w. w. HARTMAN SLICER FEED Filed Nov. 9. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inwzziar William Walter Hartman.

Aug. 14, 1934; w. w. HARTMAN SLICER FEED Filed Nov. 9. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w ww Aug. 14, 1934. w. w. HARTMAN sLIcER FEED Filed Nov. 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I nvenior ZI/z'lliam lalter Hartman.

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Patented Aug. 14, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 10 Claims.

This invention has to do with slicing devices and more especially with feed means for slicers including the type adapted to slice loaves of bread.

The slicing elements are usually a series of horizontally spaced knives reciprocated or otherwise moved in a vertical direction, and to which the loaves are fed by various types of feeding mechanisms. Of these various mechanisms, one that is frequently used is a so-called belt feed in which a pair of horizontally spaced belts, one at each end of the loaf, receive a loaf between them to feed it to and through the slicing knives by frictional conveying action. This method of feeding requires the use of endwise pressure sufficient to deform objectionably the soft loaves, for if the pressure is reduced to lessen the deformation, the loaves are apt to slip between the belts. Especially in the case of long loaves which offer relatively great resistance to slicing, does the endwise pressure need be high.

Another equally important objection to slicing bread under endwise pressure, or under excessive pressure in any direction, is the difiiculty of obtaining a clean cut. The bread is pressed against the knife sides and so makes cutting more difiicult, uneven and ragged. Also, the pressure forces one slice against another, thus closing the kerf, and causes the bread to rub excessively against the knife with the result that many crumbs are broken away from the slices and the cut is not clean and smooth.

Hence, it is a general object of my invention to provide a feed for a slicer that feeds the bread with a minimum of applied pressure and consequent deformation and with the conditions most favorable for producing a smooth cut.

. To accomplish my objects, I provide a feeder in which the loaves are fed through the knives by a frictional feed that does not require excessive pressures on the loaves, but which frictional feed in a preferred form of apparatus herein to be explained, acts largely through calling into action the weight of the loaves as a feeding force. Thus, a feeding belt moves in a downward incline toward the knives, the angle of the belt being small enough that the loaves cannot slip down the belt when stationarythe loaves are not subjected to pressures due to weight of loaves in a stack. But, upon movement of the belt, the weight action of the line of loaves on it is allowed to act to press the forward loaf through the knives.

I'n thus utilizing gravitational forces, the frictional feeding force required of the belt is reduced to a small amount, and consequently, also the belt pressure on the bread.

Further, by using feeding belts above and below the loaves where they contact with broad side surfaces instead of small loaf ends, the pres-' sure per unit area on the loaves necessary for forward feed, even though gravitational forces be not used, is much reduced; and is further reduced in my preferred combination that utilizes both these features.

An advantage resulting from my improved construction is that by slicing under such favorable conditions, not only are the cuts clean and uniform, but also the slicing rate and hence the capacity of the slicer is increased.

The manner of attaining these and other advantages and objects of my invention may be better understood by reference to the drawings and the following description wherein I show and describe a preferred form of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a slicer and feed constructed in accord with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a slicer and feed as viewed from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

A typical cutter or slicer assembly is illustrated. Reference to Figs. 1 and 3 shows a base 10 upon which is mounted crank-case ll of the cutter assembly. Journalled within the crank-case is an eccentric shaft 12 which is driven from motor 14 by means of belt 15 which passes over pulley 16 on the end of the eccentric shaft. Within the crank-case, the eccentric shaft has a plurality of horizontally spaced eccentrics 18 which are connected by means of 9 eccentric straps 19 to vertically reciprocable push rods 20 slidably mounted in guide block 22 mounted on top of the crank-case. Push rods 20 are severally attached to the lower end of cutter knives 24 while the upper ends of the knives are attached to springs 25'which are supported from a cross member 26 carried on between upright standards 27 bolted to the end of push rod guide 22. Guard hood 28 covers the top ends of the cutters and springs 25 to protect them.

The cutter assembly thus comprises a crankcase, eccentric shaft, and a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically reciprocable knives operatively attached to the eccentric shaft. Any

other suitable type of cutter assembly may be substituted; this type of cutter assembly is shown afid described merely as typical of such as may be used and is set forth in greater detail in my copending application Number 429,050, filed February 17, 1930 for Bread slicer.

Supported at one end by a pair of brackets 30 bolted to the sides of uprights; 27, and at the other end by a pair of supports 31, is the mechanism for feeding loaves of bread to the knives. Brackets 30 serve as bearings in which is journalled shaft 32 carrying drive roller 34 fixed on it. Bearing brackets 35, one at each end of shaft 32, carry. the ends of tubular frame members 36, secured at their left hand ends (Fig. 1) to supports 31; and similar bearing brackets 39 fit within the other ends of members 36 to provide bearings for shaft 40 carrying idler roller 41. Belt 42 passes around roller 41 and 34 and forms one*of-.the two parallel belts to feed the leaves, the loaves resting on top of belt 42. The threaded shanks 39a of brackets 39 are provided with adjusting nuts 44 and slide within tubular members 36, so that by turning adjusting nuts 44 the distance between rollers 34 and 41 may be increased or decreased as necessary to keep conveyor belt 42 taut at all times.

Clamps 45, one on each member 36, have arms to which are attached the diagonally extending channels 46 that carry between them plate 48 which forms a chute down which the loaves are fed by gravity onto belt 42. To guide the bread as it passes through the chute and over the belt and to correctly position the loaves endwise, side rails 50 and 50a are provided. The side rails are attached to horizontally extending pins 51 that are slidably mounted in brackets 37 so that the rails may be shifted toward and away from each other and held in the adjusted position by tightening thumb screws 37b. So that loaves may be placed upon chute 48 from the near side, as seen in Fig. 1, rail 50 on that side extends only to the base of the chute while rail 50a on the other side extends along the length of conveyor belt 42 and also to the top of the chute. The loaves may then be placed upon the chute and moved endwise against rail 50a to correctly position them; they then sliding down by gravity into position upon belt 42 where they are held between both side rails. An extra bracket 53 attached to one of channels 46 is provided to support the extension of rail 50a.

Carried upon uprights 27 and supports 54 are channels 55 that carry plate 56 forming a continuation of the bread supporting belt 42, the plate being slotted so as to have a series of fingers 56a that project between the cutting knives toward the belt (see Fig. 3). Side rails 58 are mounted on brackets 57 in a manner similar to rails 50 and 50a, and form extensions of rails 50 and 50a on the side of the cutter assembly opposite the cuttingedges of knives 24. The cutting edges face to the left in Fig. 1. Rails 58, in addition to guiding the sliced loaves, are required to hold the slices together so that the loaf moves as a unit along plate 56. The various side rails are so adjusted to loaf length as to confine the loaves closely but lightly; to hold their paths accurately registered with relations to the knives, but not materially to increase the friction that must be overcome in moving the loaves along.

The upper belt 60 of the feed mechanism p'asses' around rollers 61 and 62. Shaft 61:; of

idler roller 61 is journalled in a pair of bearing brackets 63 mounted adjustably in one end of tubular side members 64 by means of threaded shanks and adjusting nuts 66 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the lower belt, members 64 being supported by adjustable arms 65 in a manner that will be explained later. At the other ends of the members 64 are brackets 67 (Fig.4) that form bearings for shaft 62a of drive roller 62. Shaft 62a also has a hearing at its ends in bifurcated arms 69, 69a. the other ends of said arms being pivoted to uprights 27 by studs 70.

The feeding belts are driven from motor 14, speed reducer 71 (Figs. 1 and 2) driven from motor 14 by belt 72 being used to obtain a suitable rate of belt feed. Chain 73 is driven from speed reducer 71 and passes over sprocket 74 pinned to shaft 32 (Figs. 1 and 3) thus directly driving roller 34 and belt 42. A second sprocket 75 secured to shaft 32 drives chain 76 that passes over sprocket 77 rotatively mounted upon stud 78 mounted on upright 27. Gear 79 is carried by sprocket 77 so as to rotate with it. Meshing with gear 79 and driven' thereby is gear 80- which is keyed to the hub of sprocket 81 rotatably mounted upon stud 70, as best seen in Fig. 4. Sprocket 81 drives, by means of chain 82, a sprocket 83 pinned to one end of roller shaft 62a between the bifurcations of the end of arm 69 which forms a bearing for the roller shaft. By this arrangement the two travelling belts are driven at the same speed, the lower portion of belt 60 and the upper portion of belt 42 being driven in the same direction, i. e. toward the cutters; and the upper belt may be adjusted in position.

That the distance between the feed belts may be varied so as to accommodate loaves of different heights, the upper belt and frame are supported from members 36, upon four pairs of pivotally joined arms 65 and 89, two pairs on each side of the frame as shown in Fig. 1, these arms being adapted to move the belts toward and away from each other and yet maintain them in a constantly parallel relationship. Referring also to Fig. 5 wherein one pair of these arms is shown, the construction and arrangement of this pair being typical of the other three pairs, it will be seen that cross rod 85, threaded at its end, extends through the tubular frame member 64 and that nut 86 on rod bears against the inside of member 64 to properly space the two members 64 apart. On the end of rod 85 and bearing against a washer on the outside of frame member 64 is lock nut 87 which has a reduced diameter portion upon which arm 65 is pivoted. The lower end of arm 65 is pivotally attached to the upper end of bent arm 89 which in turn is rigidly secured at a point near its center to rod 90 which extends through and between lower frame members 36, the rod 90 being adapted to turn within frame members 36. The arms 89 on the same side of the feeding mechanism are joined together at their lower ends by link 92 so that the two arms are always in the same relative position. Mounted at the lower end of one arm 89 is a travelling nut 94 which is internally threaded to receive lead screw 95, the lead screw having a thrust bearing 96 attached to upright 27 within which it turns. A handle 97 is provided so that lead screw may be revolved to move nut 94 along the lead screw.

Thus, as handle 97 is turned, the travelling nut is moved along the lead screw and arms 89 together with rods 90 are rotated. Since the two arms 89 mounted upon the member 36 seen in Fig. 1 are joined together by link 92, they will be moved simultaneously and this motion will be transmitted by the rotation of rods 90 to the arms 89 on the opposite side of the feeding mechanism which are also fixed to rod 90 and joined by a link 92, and consequently all four arms will be moved simultaneously. If, for example, arms 89 are rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, arms 65 will be raised and the upper belt and frame will be moved away from belt 12 to increase the distance between the belts to take a larger loaf. As the upper belt and frame move upward, the end nearest the cutter head is restrained by arms 69, 69a and so moves in an are about studs 70, but since the belt is raised an equal amount at four points, it remains parallel to the lower belt.

The arrangement of pivoted arms provides a means for adjusting the distance between belts and for adjusting the pressure applied to the loaves. It is possible to support the upper belt and frame on the bread and allow it to float on the loaves but it is generally preferable to use less pressure than would be applied by the weight of the frame. In any case, the pressure is preferably adjustable to conform to conditionsof feed and is usually light. Due to the fact that the loaves are moving on a downward incline along belt 42, the frictional feed traction necessary at the belt surface is small; a pressure slightly greater than that due to the Weight of the loaves themselves is sufficient. In other words, the work of moving the loaves through the cutters is largely done by gravity, but at the same time the loaves are not subjected to any great weight imposed by a stack of loaves. Friction on the belt, and its inclination angle, prevent compression of the loaves under the weight of the line or stack of loaves on the beltthe inclination angle is less than the sliding angle of the loaves on the belt; at the same time, movement of the belt brings into play the forward pressure component of the loaves weight to move the forward loaf through the knives.

It will be understood that the inclination of feeder chute 48 is large enough that the stack of loaves therein will slide down the chute to feed successive loaves onto-belt 42. Thus the gravitational force of the stack of loaves in the chute 48 presses against the line or stack on belt 42 and to that extent adds to the pressure tending to move the foremost loaf through the cutters. That additional pressure is, however, relatively small, due to the angle between the belt and the chute. That small additional pressure moreover will vary with the number of loaves in the chute; the chute being provided primarily to act as a receiving chute for manual loading. It will be understood that the stack pressure from the chute is not necessary to the operation of the device as herein described, although it may be utilized for that purpose if desired.

As the loaf passes through the knives in the position L of Fig. 1, it is no longer under vertical pressure from upper belt 60 and, being unrestrained, has a tendency to vibrate vertically under the influence of the rapidly moving knives. Such vibration tends to produce a rough cut with a largeamount of crumbs. Angular apron 98, swingingly mounted on rod 99 (Fig. 4) carried between arms 69, 69a, is provided to bear down lightly upon the loaf. The apron has a portion 98a adapted to rest on the loaf and this portion is slotted as illustrated in Fig. 4 to provide fingers 98b that enter between the knives when the apron is lifted by the loaf passing the knives. Apron portion 98a is now substantially parallel to plate 56 and the loaf is confined, while being sliced, between the two parallel, vertically spaced plates. The plate exerts no pressure on the loaf except that of its own weight and is free to swing down to an approximately vertical position'when no loaf is underneath. Although confining members 98 and 56 are herein referred to as plates, it will be understood they are not to be thereby construed as necessarily limited to a plate-like shape but that other suitable physical outlines may be used for one or both members.

In operation, the full value of the weight pressure of the loaves may be brought to bear by drawing the belts at a rate slightly greater than the average rate at which the knives pass the loaves. There then will be a slippage between the belt and the loaves; and though the friction between the loaves and belt adds a force to the gravitational force, the frictional force is reduced to a minimum if the upper belt is so raised as not to bear on the loaves. The effect of the gravitational force or the weight pressure is then a maximum. This operation with a single belt may be an alternative operation, and one in which the total force moving the loaves may be regulated by the amount of inclination of the belt, the length and consequently the weight of the loaf stack on the belt, and by the belt speed.

If now the pressure on the loaves is increased by lowering the upper belt, the slippage between the belts and the loaves is gradually decreased until it becomes zero at which time the bread is fed entirely by. the frictional force from the belts. If this pressure were held constant, slippage may again be had by increasjng the belt speed; but this cycle cannot be carried beyond a practical limit for the increased rate of feed brings a more rapidly increasing pressure on the loaves which eventually become objectionably deformed. It will be seen, however, that with a slight pressure from the upper belt, the full effect of the gravitational force may be had and the total pressure on the loaves kept at a minimum.

Using only the friction of the belts to feed the loaves, the belts may be made horizontal but it is preferable to incline them to utilize the Weight of the loaves for feeding, and in any event it is preferable to incl'ne the belts relative to the cutting plane for the corner of a loaf is thus first presented to the knives instead of a flat side and the cut is not only faster but cleaner and smoother.

After being sliced, the loaf moves down chute 56, rails 58 holding the slices together; and

if the force of gravity is insufficient to move.

the loaf along, the pressure of succeeding loaves will do so. From chute 56 the sliced loaf may be taken to a wrapping machine or otherwise suitably disposed of.

-While I have shown and described a present preferred form of my invention, such disclosure is intended to be illustrative rather than limitative upon the broader claims appended hereto, for, to those skilled in the art, various changes in construction and arrangement will be apits parent without departing .from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a slicing mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like, a loaf feeding belt extending at a downward inclination toward the slicing knives to feed loaves thereto, said belt being of a length to carry a plurality of juxtaposed loaves and of such inclination angle that frictional engagement prevents the loaves from moving downwardly along the belt when the belt is stationary, and means to move the belt toward the slicing knives, and an upper driven feeder belt adapted to bear on the upper surfaces of loaves carried on the flrstmentioned feeder belt, and means for adjustably supporting the upper belt in parallelism with the first mentioned belt.

2. In a slicing mechanism having a plurality of slicing knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like, a pair of feeder belts spaced one above the other and adapted to engage loaves on a top and bottom surface to feed the loaves to- ,ward and through said knives, and adjusting means including a plurality of articulated adjusting links, a single actuating member for all of said links, and connections between said adjusting links and said single; actuating member for simultaneously and equally moving all of said adjusting links when said single actuating member is actuated, to thereby automatically maintain said feeder belts in substantially parallel alignment with regard to each other during and after adjustment.

3. In combination, a slicing mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like, a pair of parallel, vertically spaced inclined belts adapted to engage a loaf on opposite faces and to feed the loaf to the knives, means to drive both belts in timed relation, and a pair of vertically spaced plates to confine the loaf while passing through the knives, said loaves being moved between the plates and past the knives by the pressure of succeeding loaves.

4. In combination, a slicing mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like, a pair of parallel, vertically spaced belts inclined to the horizontal and adapted to engage a loaf on opposite faces to feed the loaf to the knives, means to drive both belts in timed relation, and a pair of vertically spaced plates in continuation of said belts to confine the loaf while passing through the knives, one plate being fixed and the other plate being swingingly mounted to exert downward weight pressure on the loaf; said loaves being moved between the plate and past the knives by the pressure of succeeding loaves.

5. In combination, a slicing mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like, a pair of vertically spaced belts adapted to engage loaves on opposite faces to feed'the loaves to the knives, and a pair of vertically spaced plates to hold the loaves while passing through the knives, one of said plates being fixed and the other swingingly mounted to exert a downward weight pressure on the loaf, said plates forming substantial continuations of the pair of feed belts.

6. In combination, a slicer comprising a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like, and loaf feeding means comprising a lower stationary frame and an upper adjustable frame, lower and upper feed belts on the respective lower and upper frames,

means to drive the two belts in timed relation,

the lower belt extending at a downward incline toward a point near the slicing knives, and means for adjustably mounting the upper belt carrying frame, comprising a plurality of interconnected sets of pivotally joined arms supporting the upper frame and belt in parallelism with the lower belt, the downward inclination of the lower belt being less than the sliding angle of loaves on the belt, a loaf receiving chute at the receiving end of the lower belt and standing at an angle greater than the loaf sliding angle, a loaf receiving plate forming a continuation of the lower feeder belt through and beyond the slicing knives, and a freely swinging loaf confining apron adapted to be engaged and lifted by the loaves as they pass through the slicing knives.

7. In combination, a slicing mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like, a loaf feeding belt extending at a downward inclination toward the slicing knives to feed loaves thereto, said belt being of a length to carry a plurality of juxtaposed loaves and of such inclination angle that frictional engagement prevents the loaves from moving downwardly along the belt when the belt is stationary, an upper feed belt parallel to and above the first mentioned belt, said upper belt being supported to bear on the upper surfaces of loaves on the first mentioned belt, an inclined delivery chute at the receiving end of the belts arranged at an inclination greater than the belts, and means to drive both belts in timed relation so that the loaves are advanced by loaf weight pressure aided by the frictional drag of said belts.

8. In a slicer having a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like; means to feed loaves to the knives, comprising a pair of frames, a belt mounted on each frame, a plurality of pairs of pivotally joined arms supporting one frame above the other to maintain the belts in vertically spaced parallel relationship, .the arms of each pair being pivotally connected to each other and to the belt frames transverse interconnecting corresponding arms of pairs on opposite sides of the frames, a longitudinal member connecting corresponding arms of pairs the same side of the frames, and means to adjustably position the longitudinal connecting member.

9. In a slicer having a plurality of vertically moving knives adapted to slice a loaf or the like; means to feed loaves to the knives, comprising a pair of frames, a belt mounted on each frame, a plurality of pairs of pivotally joined arms supporting one frame above the other to maintain the belts in vertically spaced parallel relationship, each pair including an arm piyoted to one frame and a -crank arm pivoted to the other frame, the two arms being pivotally joined, transverse members rigidly interconnecting crank arms on opposite sides of the frames, a longitudinal member interconnecting crank arms on the same side of the framespand adjusting means to impart adjusting movement to the longitudinal interconnecting member.

10. In combination, a slicing mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically moving knives while passing through the knives, the upper one of said plates being movable vertically by a loaf passing beneath it, said upper plate being formed with extensions projecting between the knives to confine the loaf. 1

f WILLIAM WALTER HARTMAN. 

